Good morning all,
This afternoon at 5.30 Arsenal take on United in what I see as a pivotal game for both sides.
Arsenal need to win to squash the lingering doubts that our recent run of good form is more down to our good play than it is to how poor our opposition has been. It’s been 16 points from 18 and I know you can only beat what’s in front of you of you, but Newcastle, Crystal Palace, West Brom and Brighton are about as easy a run as it gets. Still, we have taken advantage and since Smith-Row dispelled the ridiculous notion that we didn’t miss a creative player in midfield, we have in spells looked a much better unit and we can push to the back of our mind that we only managed 2 points from 21 previously when without one.
As for United, they were top of the table and cock-a-hoop until the worst team in PL history brought them crashing down at Old Toilet the other day. They will be keen to show that was the blipiest of blips and that they can mount a challenge for the title. Both teams have much to prove, so let’s hope it’s us that do the proving in a positive way.
We have had an extra days rest so that’s a slight advantage, but we need it because it seems some of our key players are carrying lingering knocks and strains, Partey, Smith-Row and Tierney, all may or may not be fit for this encounter. How many of them are fit and ready will have a big effect on how confident I feel when the whistle goes.
Will Martin Odegaard, the young man we have brought in to replace Ozil, the man we apparently didn’t need, be included in the squad or even the team? I can’t imagine it, but one never knows.
Which Brazilian will partner Rob Holding at centerback? The Covid hit young Gabriel or the age hit Luiz? Perhaps the outstanding game Luiz had in the reverse fixture (Have I remembered that correctly?) will tip the balance in his favour. It’s what I would do if Mari isn’t fully ready to start.
It seems our captain is not yet available either, so Pepe on the left seems likely.
Whatever happens we go into the game much more optimistic than we would have done a few short weeks ago and United will be less confident than they would have been a few days ago. I’m sure we are all looking forward to this fixture, which in itself is a bonus. The result and performance of both teams will tell us a lot today, let’s hope it tells us good news.
Enjoy the game and the weekend and stay safe
Pedantic George.
Positively Arsenal 
Great preview George. I think it will be a difficult fixture for Arsenal. We are no way near to become a giant again. We are most likely to draw the game as they will be determined to get their mojo back after defeat by Sheffield.The pigmob would not hesitate for a bogey penalty call for United. Everyone knows the EPL brand wants United to be top4 to get more and more bucks from TV rights and ADs.
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It looks very much as if this will be a season of two halves with part 1 ending up unrecognisable from part 2. Although I retain regrets and misgivings about the club’s treatment of Ozil and the wider abandonment of certain minimum standards of decency (or ‘class’), the changes that have been wrought on the squad – and mainly the 1st team – make for a clear transformation, if not quite a revolution, when comparing the end of last season’s line-up with today’s.
Indeed, if you look at the squad, it’s readily apparent that more has changed than has stayed the same, especially if you factor in the return of one or two injured and ‘breakthroughs’ from the U21s, etc. Leno, KT, Gabriel, Holding, Mari, Odegaard, Partey, ESR and Martinelli to name the main ‘upgrades’ and additions (although I personally feel losing Martinelli to Villa is hardly a cause for celebration regardless of Leno’s prior claims to the jersey).
Whatever the view on Arteta, this transformation alone is justification for retaining – or re-adopting – an open mind at least, as the undeniable talent now at our disposal would almost certainly strengthen ANY squad in the PL.
I feel this blog, much like the club itself, has lost it’s way a little since Arsene’s still shocking club exit. But our raison d’etre was always to support the club by shining the light of positivity in an otherwise ‘murky’ supporting environment. It was the ethos that brought us together at PA in the shit-storm of negativity around the club – and especially Arsene, at the time.
I’d argue, despite the setbacks, the poor behaviour and the evident false dawns, it’s now time for us to return to our old positive ways and get fully behind the club, regardless of any lingering doubts over the ownership or the management.
After all, even Wenger eventually let Arshavin go, disappeared up one or two squad dead-ends and by his own admission, was not perfect or entirely free from error, saying to me once “we must work harder”. That was in the autumn of 2013. On the 17th of May the following year, the club won its first major trophy since 2005.
A few of us – more than you might think – NEVER gave up on Arsene Wenger and to this day I never thought he let us down and have never regretted my stance on the club’s greatest ever manager.
Despite already winning a couple of trophies, Arteta is as much in need of loyal support now as Arsene was, back in 2013.
I say, let’s give it to him.
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Andrew, the tone of this blog is set by the articles and the comments to the articles, nothing else, it always has been.
You have the keys to the site and do not, nor should not, either seek or request my approval to write and publish any article you like. You have always been able to write and express yourself far better than me.
I never backed Arsene because he was the manager, I did so because I trusted him and respected him and a coach, and more importantly, as a person. Arteta can earn the respect as a coach but as a person, that ship has sailed. I back every player and hope they all do well, as do I hope Arteta does well in his job of coaching them. But I will not give him equal treatment as I gave Arsene because he hasn’t earned that, and frankly I doubt he can.
My wife once asked me “Why are you not friendly to everyone that wants to be your friend?” My reply was “Because then my real friends wouldn’t know who they were”.
So Andrew, I would like nothing more than for you to steer, or at least nudge , us in a more positive direction. And I’m sure others would too and even prefer it to my rubbish musings.
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Alot has been made of our last six PL games however chelski were not on form and even the saints losing their full backs looked a completely different side to the one that beat us in the cup. So if you look at the games individually the form is more on the mild side .
Manure have been on a great run of form and have some really special players but even they managed to lose to Sheffield United so in this strange season it does actually look like anyone could beat anyone.
Please not Pepe left, right or in goal. In a game like this we cannot afford someone who loses the ball regularly and a more structured player like Ainsley or Joe would be much better certainly from the start of the game.
If we do manage to beat manure, although I think we will struggle, it will open up much more optimism for the remaining seventeen games COYG.
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Top preview George, and great comments from Andrew (and George too in reply). I have been greatly heartened by the way the side have played of late, the emergence of the telepathic link between Smith Rowe and Saka a particular highlight for me. Ever one to sit on the fence, I would respectfully suggest that this game is not that pivotal because of the way I feel the match is likely to be tilted. Or at least, the performance is of more interest than the bare result.
The problem now for me is that the apathy I felt before Christmas has been replaced by the familiar but unwelcome cocktail of absurd hope, terrible nerves and obsessional behaviour.
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Sorry George I fucked that up although I did add a little
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My original comment was not intended to be censorial or critical of you or other posters/commenters and apologies if it came over in that fashion. Whilst you rightly say the blog’s tone comes from the posts and comments, I’d suggest that the majority of readers here are the kind of fans that will tend to look for and focus on the positive side of the club rather than perpetuate the negative, given the choice.
This has not been at all easy since AW left and the club’s new-found propensity for shooting itself in the foot has become as wearisome as it is unwelcome. In a face-to-face chat about Arteta, I’m certain you and I would agree on far more than we would differ. Indeed, the long run of poor decisions by MA only further strengthens my long-held belief that former players generally do not a top manager make.
There are exceptions of course, famous ones, too, but as Chelsea have most recently discovered, all too often, it all ends in tears. This is why I did not get wild with excitement at Arteta’s appointment although many were willing to give him the benefit of any doubt. I loved him as a player (see image next to my name). But that really now is by the by.
In many ways I hope Ozil’s disappointing departure represents the club’s ‘ground zero’ moment. It won’t be plain sailing, we may even lose this evening (although I expect a home win) but as Arteta rapidly removes the players he wants out and brings in his own, without necessarily affording him the ‘devotion’ once offered to Arsene, let’s see how this all plays out.
After we won the FA Cup a few months ago, I felt we had a good shout at a top four finish and frankly could not believe what I was watching just up to Xmas. But Top 4, it turns out, IS achievable after all if we can rediscover Arsene’s ‘consistently consistent’ mojo in the face of the chaos evident in most of our opponents. With everyone on board I believe we have every chance.
Well, that’s the bus I’m getting back on to, my friend.
See you there?
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Always wary of the officiating in this fixture, despite the penalty for us that won it last autumn, but just it is our players that win this game and not Mike Riley.
Utd had a fairly shocking result in their last game, hoping that instils a lack of confidence, rather than a wounded animal mentality.
I personally don’t think Utd are as good as their overall league position suggests, but they are regularly on the end of very favourable decisions, and have players who can do damage, hope Pogba is not allowed free runs around the 25 – 30 yard out mark.
Want to see Pepe really step up for this one
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Le Grove, AFTV and you lot… Just what you want next to you in the trenches.
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Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Soares, Partey, Xhaka, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Lacazette.
Subs: Runarsson, Magalhaes, Odegaard, Willian, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Elneny, Willock, Nketiah
Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Pogba, Fernandes, Rashford, Cavani.
Subs: Henderson, Bailly, Martial, James, Telles, Matic, Van de Beek, Tuanzebe, Greenwood.
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Runarsson, Chambers, Willock, AMN and Nketiah all in the subs after today being linked with loan moves out of the club by Monday.
Mat Ryan injured, as is Saka, Tierney, Ceballos and of course PEA missing too
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Michael Fucking Oliver is today’s PGMOL Game Manager
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A win today would see us move up to at least 7th, level on points with 6th placed spurs, but they have a much better goal difference
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Michael Oliver is a cunt, so one sided in his decisions
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https://twitter.com/i/status/1355573408776531973
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HT: Arsenal 0-0 The 12 Men
the 12 men mostly on top, its going to be very hard for us to win this one against the PGMOL’s finest
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Saka, Tierney & Aubamayang out the squad is a blow, tricky contest. Fewer options off the bench. Was a close result in the reverse fixture and I guess it will be the same in this match. COYG.
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A bit sloppy at times, but some good play as well. Think Oliver pretty sure which way he wants it to go.
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No yellow for Shaw hauling Pepe back?
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Willian on for Martinelli
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very poor effort on goal there from willian
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someone needs to check on Michael Oliver, he just booked a utd player
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82 minutes, Ødegaard on for Smith-Rowe
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He’s ill surely
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3 minutes of stoppage time
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FT: Arsenal 0-0 The 12 Men
a game of poor quality, lots of shots from both sides, but so few on target.
AFC now up to 8th
Disappointed by Partey today, his passing was way off. ESR seemed to lack energy, we huffed and puffed but it was dull dull dull.
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Decent point under the circs. Thought they all tried hard, and although we lacked moments of decisive brilliance felt there was a basic confidence and assurance about what we were trying to do.
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Only fair also to point out that it is a punishing schedule at the moment and even well paid footballers are probably struggling with this whole dreadful pandemic.
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Really enjoyed that.
Felt like a validation for our entire squad.
We have a really good squad…or at least 85% of it.
Man Utd brought all their weapons and could not beat us.
Well done Arsenal.
We March on.
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So funny seeing journos say they couldn’t understand why Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes did not get at least yellow card for raking the back of Xhaka’s leg
Have they not been watching these PGMOL Game Managers ref utd all these years.
If they can’t see understand it, then its cos they don’t want to understand it
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Arteta says cos Aubameyang was out of the country to look after his family he is in quarantine now, and he does not know how long that will last.
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Felt that Pepe was starting to make a difference. Both he (and the coach) seem to have renewed confidence.
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rumor doing the rounds, mainly due to a David Luiz post where he says pray for Lacazette, that our french striker passed out after the game with concussion from the harry maguire incident in stoppage time
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Ed, why didn’t you line that I thought it was a really good game and certainly wasn’t dull.
It certainly proved we are better than mid table and it it wasn’t for our terrible start could of achieved top six.
I think manure are a really good side they are quick in transition, good in possession and have players all over the park who can score the fact they didn’t is a fillet in our cap.
We achieved the result without Mari, Keiran and Saka which is something I thought we would struggle to do after watching the display against Southampton in the Cup.
Yes Oliver is a terrible ref and many situations repeated themselves in the game only for him to treat them differently Mctominey receiving treatment and allowed to come back on before we restarted the game but when it happened to one of our players he allowed them to take the corner before they could return, his hypocrisy was consistent all the way through.
Fernandez should of been sent off for his strike on Cedric in the first half and McGuire should of gone in the second firstly for fouling Laca when he had been turned and would have been clean through therefore denying a goal scoring opportunity. He also wasn’t booked for making a back for Laca and nearly causing serious injury.
Pepe wasn’t any better and after giving away a goal last week he nearly done it again this week. I am absolutely dumbfounded how Mikel keeps playing him when he offers little going forward and is dangerous when we are defending. The boy is a dreamer unfortunately a day dreamer.
I cannot see how Ainsley and Joe would give the team more stability. Their game may be different but would definitely give the team more balance.
Rob and Granit were again rocks and maybe now people can see that players we have are just as good as “names” we either bring on or are linked with.
I like David Luiz and although I think Hector and Granit are our Captains on the pitch he is definitely club Captain and seems to link the squad with all his experience.
All in all that performance gave me much more hope going forward. Maybe I’m a positivata again. Who’d a thought a 0-0 would do that.
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fillip
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Mikel Arteta admitted that a draw was a fair result from our stalemate with Manchester United on Saturday.
Afterwards our manager faced the media, and this is what he said:
on if that was a pointed gained or two points dropped…
I thought it was a fair result. I think both managers probably think they should have won it. I think it was a big game. I think we played face-to-face against each other. I think both teams wanted to win it. None of us scored a goal so it’s impossible to win. The fact we had three of our best players out probably has an impact [on the game] but I’m really happy with the players that played today and how we tried and most importantly how the game developed at the end. In the second half we were so dominant and had some big chances to win it.
on why Aubameyang is in quarantine…
We are following the rules and the protocols right now and the protocols say that he cannot be involved at the moment. We have to respect that and the doctor is managing the situation.
on if that’s because he been in a particular country or if he’s been exposed to coronavirus…
It’s because he had a family issue that he had to attend to and these are the consequences of that.
on where the team improved in the second half…
Well, we made some changes with a few things that we had to fix to be much more efficient, to be much closer to them, to be more effective in our high press and the areas where we could regain the ball and then we had a better structure to attack. We were more of a threat and we stopped giving the ball back to the opponent when we won it and we had much space to run, which is something that against United can really punish you and in the first half we didn’t do that well enough.
on Emile Smith Rowe…
Yes. He played a really good game. Even in the first half when he got involved I think he made a real difference. I think he increases the pace and the rhythm of the team when he’s around the ball and defensively he’s working so hard as well. I think overall again he had a really strong performance.
on whether Mustafi, Nelson and Maitland-Niles could leave the club…
Well, there are some conversations at the moment going on. I spoke with all the players about their own situation because they are all aware of the minutes that they’re playing and they want to improve their situation. I’m willing to help them, the club is willing to help them and we will try to find a solution at the end, but I don’t know whether it will be the case or not.
on where our team spirit and momentum can take us…
I don’t know, but we’re going to give it a real go. I think the team is in a really good moment and I think we are moving in the right direction. All the players are so willing to contribute to the team and contribute to the plan that we have in place, and they seem excited, so when that’s the case I have to push them inch by inch and make them believe that we can finish the season in a really strong way.
on David Luiz celebrating a clearance…
Yes, because you have to put your body on the line and when you have to defend your own box, you have to be ruthless and you have to be even more aggressive when you attack the opponents box because it makes a huge impact on the result, and I think everybody is defending in those situations with their lives, which is what I asked them to do. When that’s the case, obviously you’re harder to beat and you get the amount of clean sheets we’re getting at the moment.
Copyright 2021 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
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Pleased with that. 3 big players out, and where we’ve so recently been; game we could so easily have lost, or won…lot of positives for me.
Also, though I find it harder to consider our games from an entertainment perspective than when it’s other teams, thought it was pretty good. I like games where balance swings and think there’s far too few of them in prem these days. Thought it swung three times first half and more second.
Could we have pushed more? Think we got it right against team as dangerous on counter as Utd.
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Hope Laca ok. Thought it was horrendously dangerous from Maguire. Beyond Kane territory, as normally players don’t have much speed when he does it.
Really fed up with how protected Maguire is but crum of comfort in that there’s good chance he’ll be caught out on international duty. Doubt he’s smart enough to realise how much he will need to change his game in that arena having grown used to Utd reffing.
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The three big players out were Mari, Saka and Keiran, not Auba.
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48 hours of the transfer window left and the latest AFC rumors – must point out that as things stand we will have to leave one non homegrown out of our EPL 25 man squad, and 2 out of our EL squad
Reiss Nelson has the choice of several clubs, both in England and in Europe, some German and Dutch clubs along with several Championship clubs interested. Its said Nelson would rather go to Europe than a Championship club.
Runarsson might go on loan if a club can be found.
Mustafi trying to get his contract cancelled so he can join liverpool on a free.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles keen to go out on loan, WBA, West Ham, Leicester City, Southampton and Brighton said to be keen on him.
Willock and Nketiah have drawn some interest from EPL and Championship clubs. Not known if AFC keen to let both go on loan or not. Willock has started just the 2 EPL games for us this season, Eddie has started 3 and with Ødegaard signed and Martinelli back from injury both players might find game time even more limited for the rest of the season. If Eddie was to leave it might see Balogun get selected a few times for the first team squad.
Reports that Chambers might be allowed to go out on loan, with Newcastle mentioned as a possible destination
As for in comings, Arsenal said to be very keen to get in a left back, with two main targets having emerged, Cryatal palace’s Dutch international Patrick Van Aanholt who is out of contract in six months, and now having lost him place at palace, is an option, especially as he is a homegrown player too having been on CFC’s books as a youth.
AFC also being linked with Hibs 18 year old left back Josh Doig, with it mooted that if we get Van Aanholt we would like to sign Doig and loan him back to hibs for rest of the season.
We are also being linked with Stoke’s Ireland U21 international central defender Nathan Collins, again with it mooted we would offer to loan him back, if we can get him for a reasonable fee, Stoke turned down a £5M bid from Burnley earlier in the week, and are said to be trying to frighten bidders by asking £15M, reports suggest AFC are offering £5M rising to £10m, maybe less if we loan him back. Even being suggested that we would not be averse to loaning him back to Stoke for next season too if they win promotion this season.
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From what I have read, though of course I wasn’t there, Maguire is lucky not to be in jail
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Wasn’t Xhaka magnificent…again!
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So i got my ptediction right and we got a draw. The refs did their job by not booking Fernandes early on for a high boot kick.
Maguire also spared being an English team player. Its so often the refs protect the local players.Harry Kane being the refs favourite to be protected at all costs. Hope my comment will not offend the English fans. Not to be angry about every country protects its plsyers as it is a natural phenomenon.
So we drew at the Emirates with 43% pocession and just 3 shots on target. Its a shame that we cant keep 50% pocession at home against a united side without Furgie. Imagine if Fergie was incharge at United with his hair dryer and Pigmob behind we would have lost the match for sure.it seems Arteta will always play defense first against the top sides and we are going towards being a Maureen team than a Arsene Wenger side.
Kudos to Wenger we beat United 3-0 inside 20 minutes with Ozil and Alexis brace in 2015.What a match it was to remember and cherish. The memories are still afresh.
So now we stand 9th below Villa and they still have played 2 matches less.We still dont look to finisih in top8. The idiots had predicted we will win the league once Arsene Wenger leaves the club. Can those idiots raise their hands now and show our Epl trophy.
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The reason why not all will support the coach is because:
The poor performance in the league this season is 100% arteta’s call. As a football fan if a personal egotistical call by a coach makes the football team unwatchable for half a season then i can imagine that the football fans will not be impressed.
Such calls against such players have never worked for the coaches. Not for saachi. Not for Ferguson. Not for Biesla.
And certainly not for a rookie Arteta!
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For me the concerns expressed in recent times do not focus on the coach but relate to the owners of a football club that sacked off all the football scouts. The same scouts that picked Martinelli, probably Saka and ESR too Etc. Tierney.
The big signing by this Mob so far that we all hoped might turn out to finally be a Footballer looked like he could not pass the football last night. Partey made Fred look like he was having a good game.
Though Partey has like Martinelli been again rushed back by a desperate coach. He will improve hopefully if his hammies are not shredded like Kane’s by desperate coaches (see Saka & Martinelli not being given enough rest of late)
Were Edu & Raul employed to make Martin Edwards look good?
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Cavani has played at the Arsenal stadium on three or four occasions. Has he ever scored a goal? One at most I think.
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Orbinho
@Orbinho
·
3h
Arsenal have dropped 18 points at home this season.
That’s more than in the whole of:
1997-98
1998-99
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2009-10
2011-12
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
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CFC have won so we are back down to 10th
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the atlethic reporting that Arsenal are insisting that whoever signs AMN on loan have to play him as a fullback or wingback. seems a bit odd to me, surely all they should be concerned with is that he gets games
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Leicester City now looking the most likely to sign AMN
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